I prefer cardinals over neons. They are better looking and hardier. But its a slight difference.. 8 to 10 is a good school

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Why do I love fish? You can't pet them, you can't play with them, you can't teach them tricks, they aren't warm and fuzzy... Why do I love fish? Because every time I stare into their little world I have created for them, every problem I have just floats away....

Cardinals are harder to keep happy, but they do well IF you give them the conditions they need, which aren't like most tank conditions. Neons are delicate, too, but do fine if you take proper care of them and buy them from a place that also takes care of them.

I like cardinals simply because they have more color, BUT you can't just plop them into any old tank and expect them to make it. They like "Discus water" type conditions.

I like cardinals better, but buy the healthiest fish you can find. The neon coming in from Asia are horrible lately. Full of disease and lousy color. Pay double or triple for locally bred fish if you can find them. It will be worth it not to have to medicate and watch half die.

My cardinals are in a discus tank lol maybe thats why they do so well lol

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Why do I love fish? You can't pet them, you can't play with them, you can't teach them tricks, they aren't warm and fuzzy... Why do I love fish? Because every time I stare into their little world I have created for them, every problem I have just floats away....

So I really don' t feel that comfortable with either. This is my first tank in about 3 years and I don't want to have any problems in the first few months. My wife really loves the look of cardinals and neons, but I don't think she'd be real happy if I started killing them. Is their another schooling fish out there that would compare? Maybe something with some blue in it? What do you guys think of Congo's? I know they get a little larger, but I think I will have room.

Well, I prefer Cardinals over the neon. They have three full length body stripes (gray, red and blue, going from top to bottom). I also think they are smarter than the neons, maybe because of the better breeding.

Ive read that most of the cardinals are wild caught so they are more picky fish if you will. Some stores I know have captive bred. Cardinals are cool in my opinion but not as active from what ive seen in friends aquariums as the neon. Go with Cardinals though

fish that can "aclimate" doesnt mean its good for them! cardinals and neons are just more sensitive to ph that isn't exact to what they prefer. i dont think ph is waht killed them in a matter of days. it would take longer than that typically. sometimes up to a year or two.